The overhaul of the railway network in Albania will be supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with a €36.9 million loan and the European Union (EU) with an investment grant of up to €35.5 million under its “Connectivity Agenda for the Western Balkans”.
The rehabilitation of the Albanian railway lines is part of the project that aims to extend the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) in the Western Balkans and the international connection between Albania and Montenegro.
The first project in Albania concerns the reconstruction of the 34 km railway section between Durres and Tirana, which will improve communications for citizens and tourists and open up new commercial opportunities for businesses. When the reconstruction will be completed – hopefully by the end of 2024 – the journey will take just 20 minutes between Albania’s two main cities.
Additionally, a new 5 km-long rail track connecting the centre of Tirana to the International Airport will be constructed.
In Albania there have been no investments in the railway sector in the last 30 years, also due to a lack of human resources and capacity. Most people use cars and buses for their daily commute, which causes traffic jams and increases air pollution.
Most of the civil engineering works are now completed, including the construction of eight new railway bridges. “The next big challenge is the purchase of new trains”, thanks to new financing, said the director of the Project Implementation Unit at the Albanian Railways, Bashkim Kasoruho, who collaborated in drafting the project for the “railway rebirth ” in Albany.
Gentian Liko, CEO of Albanian Railways, believes that the shift from road transport to safer and more environmentally friendly rail transport will contribute to the long-term goal of building green, sustainable and integrated economies.
